Damyang-gun 'Natural Monument No. 366' Gwanbangjerim Pujonamu Tree Sprouts New Leaves

Temporary freezing of new sprout branches due to this winter's cold wave

Priority given to nutrient supply, with continuous monitoring to observe leaf growth trends

[Damyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the 12th, Jeollanam-do Damyang-gun announced that on the 11th, experts were invited to conduct an on-site inspection to assess the growth environment of the Pujonamu tree within Damyang Gwanbangje-rim, Natural Monument No. 366.

This on-site inspection was conducted to check the condition of the Pujonamu tree in Gwanbangje-rim, where leaf sprouting was slower than usual despite it being mid-May. Participants included tree expert Director Kang Jeonyu of the Tree Comprehensive Hospital, cultural heritage specialist Cha Byungjin (Chungbuk National University), and officials from the Tree Hospital.

The tree experts who conducted the inspection stated, “The Pujonamu tree is a subtropical species, so compared to other boreal species like Zelkova and Chinese hackberry, its leaves naturally sprout later.” They predicted that the severe cold this past winter caused the twigs and new shoots that produce leaves to freeze and die.

However, since the main trunk of the Pujonamu tree is still alive and some suckers are visible, they expect the leaves to gradually emerge and the canopy to regain its usual appearance.

They also suggested nutritional supply measures such as soil drenching with diluted nutrients, trunk injections, and foliar feeding timed with leaf emergence to aid canopy recovery, emphasizing continuous management through monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment.

Accordingly, Damyang-gun plans to first implement soil drenching with diluted nutrients in consultation with the Cultural Heritage Administration, and then monitor leaf growth trends regularly to proceed with trunk injections and foliar feeding as needed.

Meanwhile, Gwanbangje-rim, designated as Natural Monument No. 366 in 1991, was originally established in 1684 when Damyang magistrate Seong Isung built embankments and planted trees to prevent flood damage. In 1854, magistrate Hwang Jongrim repaired the embankments and planted more trees, leading to its current state.

Within Gwanbangje-rim, 177 protected trees of seven species including Pujonamu, Zelkova, and Chinese hackberry are managed. In 2004, it won the grand prize and the best village forest award at the 5th Beautiful Forest National Competition.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.